Yes, you can bake bread in the air fryer! This Air Fryer Focaccia is a great way to make a small batch of focaccia bread. It comes out wonderfully aromatic and flavorful, with the signature dimples and olive oil & herb flavor.
An easy, no-knead focaccia recipe. No fancy stand mixer needed to make this focaccia!
This recipe also provides oven baking instructions in case your air fryer is not big enough to fit a baking dish for focaccia.
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More-from scratch baking recipes: 3 Ingredient Pie Crust
Baking focaccia in the air fryer
Focaccia is one of the easiest "beginner" bread recipes. Not only is it easy to make, but it's so delicious, with its garlicky herby topping and a wonderful savory olive oil flavor.
Baking focaccia in the air fryer yields a wonderful focaccia with a crispy topping and a soft, delicious center. Perfect for sandwiches, snacking, dipping, and to serve with dinner.
The first steps to making an air fryer focaccia are the same as oven-baked focaccia: you have to make the dough, let it rise, then poke it with your hands to create focaccia dimples, and brush it with olive oil and herbs before baking.
But once it's ready to bake, focaccia is cooked in the air fryer in just 15 minutes! With barely any preheating time! You end up saving some time thanks to your air fryer.
Making focaccia at home is a great budget-friendly way to enjoy this bread that typically costs a lot more to buy from your local bakery or pizzeria!
More homemade bread recipes: Classic Baguette
What pan to use to make focaccia in the air fryer
The main thing to check before getting started is that you have an 8- or 9-inch round or square pan that fits into your air fryer.
I have a 10-quart Instant Pot Vortex and this round pan or this square pan fit into it perfectly!
If you're looking to buy a baking pan or cake pan that fits in an air fryer, I recommend a metal one that does not have a large lip around the side (like the ones I linked to above) so that there is no risk of it not fitting because of the lip around the edge.
More air fryer baking recipes: Air Fryer Puff Pastry Toaster Strudel
Small batch focaccia
This focaccia recipe makes one ~8 inch loaf of focaccia, so it's definitely a small loaf! Which is good for portion control, at least for me—when I see that I only have about 10 pieces, I am more likely to eat just 1 piece, compared to if I see a huge focaccia with 20 pieces up for grabs!
However, if you want to make twice as much, you can simply double the recipe EXCEPT for the yeast. Keep the yeast amount the same. You'll need to air fry the focaccia in 2 batches (or in 2 air fryers, if you're lucky enough to have two!).
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoons sugar
- 1 ¼ cups water, warmed to 110°F
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons salted butter, divided (2 tablespoons melted, 1 tablespoon unmelted)
- 1.5 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
- 1.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or crushed dried rosemary)
Equipment
- Air fryer big enough to hold a 8 or 9-inch square or round pan (I have the 10-quart Instant Pot Vortex)
- 8 or 9 inch round cake pan that fits in your air fryer (or an 8x8 or 9x9-inch square dish that fits in your air fryer)
- Food thermometer (to make sure your warm water is around 110F, so your yeast activates)
- Small mixing bowl
- Small microwave-safe bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Wooden spoon
- Large bowl
- Plastic wrap and olive oil spray, or a clean kitchen towel (to cover the dough while it rises)
- Heat-safe oven mitt (I actually prefer these silicone oven mitts because they're small and easy to use with an air fryer)
Related recipe: Air Fryer Bagel Bites
Instructions with step-by-step pictures
Step 1: In a small mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water (use a thermometer!). Stir gently and let it rest for 5 minutes. The mixture should become frothy. If it doesn't, see the recipe tips below.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and 1 teaspoon salt.
Step 3: With a wooden spoon or hard rubber spatula, mix the wet ingredients into the flour gradually. Continue to stir the mixture until a sticky dough forms.
Step 4: Remove the dough onto a large cutting board or clean surface dusted with flour or sprayed with cooking spray, so the dough does not stick. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a bowl, swirl it around or use a brush to coat the sides, and add the dough back.
Step 5: Cover the dough and let proof for 4 hours in a warm spot, or until the dough doubles in size (see recipe tips below).
Step 6: Grease the pan well with 1 tablespoon of butter.
Step 7: Pour/transfer the dough into the pie pan and let the dough settle. You might need stretch it gently to fill in the whole pan. Test the dough to see if it is ready by poking it once. If the dough springs back fast, the dough needs more time to rest. If the dimple remains, the dough is ready. Using your fingers, poke the dough deeply all over creating dimples.
Step 8: Preheat the air fryer to 340F.
Step 9: Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl, and combine with salt and Italian seasoning. Brush half the seasoned butter onto the dimpled dough.
Step 10: Add the pan to the air fryer basket and air fry at 340°F for 10 minutes.
Step 11: Meanwhile, add minced garlic to the butter mixture and mix well. Note: if you don't have enough melted butter left, you can add a splash of olive oil just to create a more saucy consistency. Carefully remove the pie dish from the air fryer and brush another layer of butter on the bread.
Step 12: Air fry for 5 more minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown on top. Every air fryer cooks differently, so keep an eye on the focaccia during the last 5 minutes of air frying.
Step 13: Let it cool completely before removing it from the pan. Once cool, remove the loaf, cut into strips or cubes, and enjoy!
Focaccia-making tips
→ Before getting started, make sure you have a pan that fits in your air fryer! If you're buying one, try to get a metal pan that does not have a large lip around it, to make sure it fits.
→ Make sure the water you use to activate the yeast is around 105-110F, not any warmer than 115F. If it is too hit, it will kill the yeast. If it is too cold, the yeast won't "wake up." I recommend using a meat thermometer to test the temperature of the water. If you don't have a thermometer, the water should be warm on your hand, but not uncomfortably so.
→ When covering the dough, cover it either with a clean kitchen towel that is dusted with flour, or with plastic wrap sprayed with oil or cooking spray. That will help to prevent the dough from sticking to the towel or wrap covering it.
→ Dough will rise faster in a warm spot. I like to place it on top of the dishwasher when it's running, or put the bowl with the dough on top of another bowl, pot, or pan filled with a little hot water. Another option is to use the "keep warm" setting on your air fryer or oven, or run the oven or air fryer for a few minutes, turn it off and let it cool down, then place the dough in there. Check on it often so it doesn't rise too high and get the top of the air fryer sticky.
→ Make sure to check on the focaccia as it is air frying to make sure it is not burning on top before it cooks all the way through. If it looks like it's starting to burn, reduce the heat to 325F. Every air fryer is different, and the exact cooking time will depend on the size and shape of your pan, your air fryer size and shape, how close the focaccia is to the heating element, etc.
Oven instructions
No air fryer? Bake this small batch focaccia in the oven! Preheat to 450F. Place the pan in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 425F. Bake for 22-25 minutes, up to 30 if needed, or until the top is golden brown.
What to serve with focaccia
Focaccia is SO flavorful and delicious on its own because it has a plenty of coarse kosher salt, garlic, and herbs on it. It is a great simply served as pieces of cubed bread as a side for dinner.
I love spreading buttery soft roasted garlic from this air fryer garlic confit onto the focaccia.
Focaccia also goes GREAT being dipped into:
- Chili
- Pureed soups, such as this carrot soup or this parsnip soup
- Marinara sauce, or spiced tomato sauce like the one from these Moroccan meatballs
If you're air frying the focaccia in a round pan, the rounded long pieces are perfect for dunking into dips and sauces!
Make a focaccia sandwich
Focaccia sandwiches are one of my favorite things from a local pizza place! To make a focaccia sandwich: cut a nice sized chunk of focaccia, then slice it in half to make a top and a bottom piece. Slather some mayo and pesto on there, then add grilled chicken, cooked bacon, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and a slice of lettuce and tomato. SO SO GOOD!
If you enjoyed this recipe, let me know with a comment and a star rating below. And don't forget to share it on Facebook and save it on Pinterest for later!
Air Fryer Focaccia
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast - (1 packet)
- 1 teaspoons sugar
- 1 ¼ cups water - warmed to 110°F
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt -
- 2 tablespoons olive oil -
- 3 tablespoons salted butter - divided (2 tablespoons melted, 1 tablespoon unmelted)
- 1.5 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
- 1.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning - (or crushed dried rosemary)
Special equipment
- Air fryer big enough to hold a 8 or 9-inch pan
- 8 or 9 inch round cake pan that fits in your air fryer (or an 8- or 9-inch square pan that fits)
- Food thermometer (to make sure your warm water is around 110F, so your yeast activates)
- Plastic wrap and olive oil spray or a clean kitchen towel to cover the dough
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir gently and let it rest for 5 minutes. The mixture should become frothy. If it doesn't, see the recipe tips below.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and 1 teaspoon salt.
- With a wooden spoon or hard rubber spatula, mix the wet ingredients into the flour gradually. Continue to stir the mixture until a sticky dough forms.
- Remove the dough onto a large cutting board or clean surface dusted with flour or sprayed with cooking spray, so the dough does not stick. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to a bowl, swirl it around or use a brush to coat the sides, and add the dough back.
- Cover the dough (with a flour-dusted kitchen towel, or with oil-sprayed plastic wrap) and let proof for 4 hours in a warm spot, or until the dough doubles in size (see recipe tips below).
- Grease the pan well with 1 tablespoon of unmelted butter (or use olive oil).
- Pour/transfer the dough into the pie pan and let the dough settle. You might need stretch it gently to fill in the whole pan. Test the dough to see if it is ready by poking it once. If the dough springs back fast, the dough needs more time to rest. If the dimple remains, the dough is ready. Using your fingers, poke the dough deeply all over creating dimples.
- Preheat the air fryer to 340F.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl, and combine with salt and Italian seasoning. Brush half of the seasoned butter onto the dimpled dough.
- Add the pan to the air fryer basket or tray and air fry at 340°F for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add minced garlic to the butter mixture and mix well. Note: if you don't have enough melted butter left, you can add a splash of olive oil just to create a more saucy consistency. Carefully remove the pie dish from the air fryer and brush another layer of butter on the bread.
- Air fry for 5 more minutes, or until the focaccia is golden brown on top. Every air fryer cooks differently, so keep an eye on the focaccia during the last 5 minutes of air frying.
- Let it cool completely before removing it from the pan. Once cool, remove the loaf, cut into strips or cubes, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information displayed is an estimate and not to be used as dietary or nutritional advice. Consult a nutritionist or dietician for nutritional info based on the exact ingredients you use.
David
Tuesday 14th of March 2023
Brilliant brilliant recipe…..I may have added a touch extra salt, I measured but it was still a bit salty for me…and it needs some rosemary…..I can’t believe how well this came out…I didn’t even use a pan, just a liner in my ninja foodie and put it in air crisp basket.
Kate
Tuesday 14th of March 2023
Isn't it so cool to bake bread in an air fryer? It feels like magic. Thanks so much for trying it out and leaving a review! Different salt brands and different coarseness can affect how much salt is actually added, I'll make sure to note the brand I used.